Lost Valley Trail

Here in the Ozarks we are blessed with many wonderful hiking opportunities. Recently Ryan and I decided to head out and do just that. We chose the Lost Valley Trail which is located between Boxley and Ponca, off of Hwy. 43 in Newton County, Arkansas. It was a splendid Autumn day. The Sun held court in an impossibly blue sky. The breeze was sublime. The forest was calling. We packed a picnic lunch of Waldorf chicken salad sandwiches, carrot sticks, and apple cider. The drive to the trail is very pastoral and charming. It winds past fields dappled by hay bails and the occasional old barn, venerable mountains, and picturesque valleys. We went on a Saturday and there were so many people there. I felt like we were at Disney World. There were probably 30 cars in the parking lot. As I said, the forest was calling.

This trail is 2.3 miles round trip. It is a very easy hike, the first part is rather level, suitable even for strollers or wheel chairs. This part of the trail parallels Clark Creek, which eventually converges with the Buffalo. Then the climbing starts. This trail boasts a beautiful waterfall and two caves. The last cave at the end of the trail is Eden Cave. This is an interesting cave, it is difficult to get back into the cavern, but once you do you're rewarded with a 35 foot waterfall. This flows out of the cave and creates Eden Falls, which is a spectacular waterfall.  If you visit this cave and wish to go into the back cavern, remember to bring a flash light, it is black as pitch inside.

This is a lovely trail, and easy enough for children as well, so it would make a nice family outing. If you would like to avoid the crowds go on a week day, not a weekend. There are also camping facilities, if you live out of town. I am posting some pictures from our hike. Don't you just love that name, Lost Valley?

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